Chapter 1023: The Long-Awaited Meeting of Fated Enemies
The ship sailing toward Qi Xuansu was from the Heavenly Court. Qi Xuansu recognized it due to its massive banner that snapped and cracked in the wind.
In the Central Plains, the Heavenly Court might have kept itself veiled in secrecy, but here in Nanyang, they were bold and brazen.
The massive ship cut through wind and waves, charging straight at the Daoist flying ship.
Qi Xuansu stood at the bow with his hands clasped behind his back. His expression was inscrutable, but inwardly, he thought, The Heavenly Court sure is audacious...
It was a ship with an old-fashioned Western design. This ship still bore a ram-spike prow and billowing sails, resembling a relic from the past in this age of ironclad ships equipped with cannons and steam engines. It also had a figurehead carved in the likeness of a Western goddess with both hands crossed over her chest.
However, despite the Western hull, there were many modifications of a distinct Central Plains style. It was a strange hybrid of styles that seemed neither East nor West, neither elegant nor crude.
The ship was a perfect reflection of the Heavenly Court itself—a hodgepodge of everything.
As the ship drew near, the once-bright sky darkened at once. Black clouds churned, the wind howled, and the sea grew restless. The once blue waters darkened to a deep indigo before turning ink-black.
The deck lamps on the ship flared with a dim yellow glow. Its speed was unabated as its ram-spike prow charged forward like a steel lance, piercing through the storm.
It was obvious that the weather changes came from the ship itself. That was precisely why the Heavenly Court favored these old-style ships with sails over those with steam engines.
Seeing this, Qi Xuansu did not give the order for the flying ship to flee to the skies. His flying ship simply floated on the rough waters as it awaited the oncoming ship.
Just then, a voice drifted across the distance from the oncoming ship. “Greetings, Second Deputy Qi.”